CN109139746B

CN109139746B - Bicycle brake pad

Info

Publication number: CN109139746B
Application number: CN201811165600.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 岩井亨; 藤谷隆司
Original assignee: Shimano Inc
Current assignee: Shimano Inc
Priority date: 2010-07-01
Filing date: 2011-05-30
Publication date: 2020-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-30
Also published as: TW201601967A; US9487263B2; TWI432359B; TW201813870A; DE102011051344A1; TWI659888B; DE102011123009B3; TW201341257A; US8550220B2; DE102011051344B4; TW201210884A; CN105221609B; TWI607923B; US20130333986A1; CN109139746A; US20120000735A1; CN102312947A; DE102011123016B3; TWI615315B; CN104747625A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle brake pad that includes a cooling plate and a friction plate. The cooling plate has a first surface and a second surface. The cooling plate includes a pad support portion and a heat dissipation portion. The friction pad is mechanically and fixedly connected to the pad support portion of the cooling plate.

Description

Bicycle brake pad

The present application is an invention patent application No. 201110142302.9 entitled "bicycle brake pad" filed on 30/5/2011 and a divisional application of the invention patent application No. 201510663725.3.

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to bicycle brake pads. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle brake pad having a cooled surface.

Background

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly popular means of recreation as well as transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect is to provide a bicycle brake pad having a cooling surface for dissipating heat that extends away from a friction surface of the bicycle brake pad.

In view of the prior art, a bicycle brake pad according to the present invention includes a cooling plate and a friction pad. The cooling plate has a first surface and a second surface. The cooling plate includes a pad support portion and a heat dissipation portion. The friction pad is mechanically and fixedly connected to the pad support portion of the cooling plate.

Drawings

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a bicycle equipped with brake pads according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the front brake assembly showing the rotor, caliper and brake pads according to the one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of the brake caliper according to one embodiment showing the hydraulic pistons of the caliper and two brake pads, one pad on one side of the rotor, with the pads spaced from the rotor so that the rotor and the front wheel of the bicycle can rotate;

FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of the brake caliper similar to FIG. 3 showing the hydraulic pistons of the caliper urging two brake pads into contact with the rotor so that braking forces are applied by the friction surfaces of the brake pads to the corresponding surfaces of the rotor to slow and then stop rotation of the front wheel in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a back view of a brake pad removed from the caliper showing a backing plate, a cooling plate, and a rivet head of the friction pad rigidly securing the friction pad to the cooling plate, and also showing cooling fins of the cooling plate, in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a brake pad removed from the caliper showing a cooling plate and a friction pad and also showing a friction surface of the friction pad in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the brake pad taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the cooling plate, backing plate and friction pad rigidly secured to one another by a rivet portion of the friction pad, the rivet portion including a rivet head, according to the one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional view of the brake pad taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5 showing the cooling plate, backing plate and friction pad rigidly secured to one another by one of the rivet portions of the friction pad in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the brake pad showing the cooling plate, backing plate and rivet heads and cooling fins of the cooling plate according to one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a brake pad showing a cooling plate, backing plate and friction pad, and another view of a cooling fin of the cooling plate, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the brake pad from the same perspective as FIG. 9 showing the cooling plate, backing plate and friction pad separated from one another prior to final assembly and formation of the rivet head in accordance with the one embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is another exploded perspective view of the brake pad showing the cooling plate, backing plate and friction pad separated from one another prior to final assembly and formation of the rivet head according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

Selected embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle 10 is illustrated with a brake pad 12 in accordance with a first embodiment.

The bicycle 10 basically includes, among other things, a frame 14, a front wheel 16, a front brake assembly 18 and a brake pad 12. Front brake assembly 18 includes a brake rotor 20, a brake caliper 22, a brake actuation mechanism 24, and a pair of brake pads 12.

The brake rotor 20 is a conventional brake rotor that is fixedly attached to the hub portion of the front wheel 16 for rotation therewith. The brake rotor 20 may be bolted to the hub portion of the front wheel 16 or fitted to the hub flange and held in place on the hub portion of the front wheel 16 by a hub nut (not shown) in a conventional manner.

The brake caliper 22 and the brake actuation mechanism 24 are conventional brake components. As best shown in fig. 3, the brake caliper 22 and the brake actuation mechanism 24 are preferably hydraulic devices. Specifically, in response to the brake actuation mechanism 24 being operated by a rider (not shown), the hydraulic pressure is communicated through a hydraulic line L that connects the brake actuation mechanism 24 to the brake caliper 22 in a conventional manner. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the transmitted fluid pressure causes pistons P of brake caliper 22 to move brake pads 12 into contact with the opposing surface of brake rotor 20.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that brake caliper 22 may include a single piston or may have a pair of pistons P, as shown in fig. 3 and 4.

When the brake pad 12 is urged into contact with the surface of the brake rotor 20, a braking force is generated to prevent the front wheel 16 from rotating. As a result, heat is generated. As described in more detail below, the brake pad 12 is designed to dissipate the generated heat.

The pair of brake pads 12 are preferably identical or mirror images of each other. The description of one brake pad 12 applies equally to both. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, only one of the brake pads 12 is described hereinafter.

As best shown in fig. 5-12, the brake pad 12 includes a cooling plate 30, an attachment plate 32, and a friction pad 34, all rigidly secured to one another, as will be described in more detail below.

The cooling plate 30 is preferably made of a lightweight metal material, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The cooling plate 30 is also preferably made of a metallic material that conducts heat easily.

As best shown in fig. 5 and 6, the cooling plate 30 has a first surface 40, a second surface 42, and a peripheral edge 44 extending around the periphery of the cooling plate 30 between the first and

second surfaces

40, 42. The peripheral edge 44 includes a first edge portion 46, a second edge portion 48 opposite the first edge portion 46, and a lateral edge portion 50 extending between the first edge portion 46 and the second edge portion 48. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the first edge portion 46 has a substantially straight shape. As also shown in fig. 5 and 6, the second edge portion 48 has a curved shape. The curved shape of the second edge portion 48 provides a greater overall surface area for the second edge portion 48 as compared to the first edge portion 46.

Adjacent the first edge 46, the cooling plate 30 has a width W₁Dimensioned such that only the end of the cooling plate 30 corresponding to the first edge portion 46 can be inserted into the bicycle clamp 22. Adjacent the second edge portion 48, the cooling plate 30 has a width W₂Dimensioned to prevent the second edge portion 48 from being inserted into the bicycle clamp 22. Width W₂Is greater than width W₁. Moreover, each of the side edge portions 50 of the peripheral edge 44 of the cooling plate 30 includes a shoulder 52 that defines a width W₁And width W₂To transition between them. The shoulder 52 also provides a locating surface that contacts a portion of the bicycle caliper 22 to limit the insertion of the cooling plate 30 and brake pad 12 into the brake caliper 22And (6) moving. In other words, when the brake pad 12 is inserted into the bicycle caliper 22, the shoulder 52 is sized to rest on a surface of the brake caliper 22 and thereby prevent the shoulder from being inserted into the brake caliper 22.

As best shown in fig. 12, the cooling plate 30 further includes a pad support portion 56 adjacent the first edge portion 46 of the peripheral edge 44 and a heat sink portion 58 adjacent the second edge portion 48 of the peripheral edge 44.

As best shown in fig. 6, 10 and 12, the first surface 40 is a generally flat planar surface interrupted by a recess 60 (best shown in fig. 12). The recess 60 of the first surface 40 and the portion of the first surface 40 adjacent the recess 60 generally define the pad support portion 56 of the cooling plate 30. Moreover, the recess 60 also defines a pad receiving area that is sized to snugly receive the friction pad 34, as will be described in more detail below. Recess 60 also includes a pair of apertures 64, each aperture 64 extending between first surface 40 (at recess 60) and second surface 42. The first surface 40 also includes a cavity 66, the cavity 66 being used to retain the brake pad 12 to the bicycle caliper 22 in a conventional manner.

The portion of the first surface 40 of the cooling plate 30 extending between the recess 60 and the second edge portion 48 generally defines one side of the heat sink portion 58. In particular, the portion of first surface 40 extending between recess 60 and second edge portion 48 can readily dissipate heat generated during braking.

As best shown in fig. 5, 9 and 11, the second surface 42 is a flat planar surface throughout interrupted by recesses 70 (best shown in fig. 5 and 11) and fins 72. The recess 70 of the second surface 42 has an overall rectangular shape with a contoured portion 74 extending around the aperture 66 such that the aperture 66 is open to the recess 70 and thus to the second surface 42.

The rectangular area of the recess 70 includes a pair of apertures 64. Also, the recess 70 is shaped to conform to the attachment plate 32, which will be described in more detail below. More specifically, the recess 70 is sized such that the attachment plate 32 fits snugly into the recess 70.

Those portions of the second surface 42 other than the recesses 70 generally define the other side of the heat sink portion 58. In particular, the flat areas of the second surface 42 adjacent the fins 72 and the fins 72 generally define the heat sink portion 58.

Fins 72 extend outwardly from second surface 42 and are disposed adjacent second rim portion 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the cold plate 30 and the fins 72 are integrally formed as a single unitary element with no seams or interruptions therebetween. However, in alternative embodiments, the fins 72 may be formed separately and then fixedly attached or otherwise welded to the second surface 42 of the cold plate 30.

Also, the fins 72 extend outwardly from the second surface 42 in a direction perpendicular to the second surface 42. As discussed in more detail below, the friction pad 34 extends in an outward direction from the first surface 40. Also, the friction pad 34 extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 40. The fins 72 extend in a direction opposite to the direction in which the friction pads 34 extend. In the illustrated embodiment, the first surface 40 and the second surface 42 are parallel to each other. Thus, the fins 72 and the friction pads 34 extend in parallel but opposite directions to each other.

The attachment plate 32 will now be described with particular reference to fig. 11 and 12. The attachment plate 32 is preferably made of stainless steel, but may alternatively be made of other metallic materials. Preferably, the attachment plate 32 is made of a harder and more rigid material than the cooling plate 30. The attachment plate 32 (back plate) is disposed on the second surface 42 within the recess 70. The attachment plate 32 is further provided at the pad supporting portion 56 of the cooling plate 30. The attachment plate 32 includes a pair of holes 80 sized such that, with the attachment plate 32 installed in the recess 70 of the cooling plate 30, the holes 80 are aligned with the holes 64 of the cooling plate 30. The attachment plate 32 also has a recess 82 surrounding the aperture 80. Also, the attachment plate 32 has a hole 84 sized such that, with the attachment plate 32 installed in the recess 70 of the cooling plate 30, the hole 84 aligns with the hole 66 of the cooling plate 30.

As best shown in fig. 7 and 8, the friction pads 34 are fixedly and rigidly attached to the cooling plate 30 and the attachment plate 32 (back plate). The friction pad 34 basically includes a base portion 90 (attachment portion) and a pad portion 92. The pad portion 92 includes a braking surface S that is sized to contact a corresponding annular surface of the brake rotor 20. Specifically, when the braking surface S is pressed against the corresponding surface of the brake rotor 20, friction is generated that provides braking force.

The base portion 90 (attachment portion) is made of a metal material that provides good heat transfer properties, such as brass, aluminum, steel alloy, or other metal material. The base portion 90 also provides rigid support for the pad portion 91 and the braking surface S. The pad portion 92 is made of a sintered material suitable for use as a braking material when pressed against the brake rotor 20.

The pad portion 92 is formed using a conventional sintering process such that the pad portion 92 is sintered to the base portion 90. More specifically, the pad portion 92 is rigidly and fixedly connected to the base portion 90. Thus, the pad portion 92 and the base portion 90 are formed as a single unitary element. Although the figures depict the backing block portion 92 and the base portion as separate layers, they are fabricated as a unitary, single, monolithic element. Thus, the friction pad 34 is made entirely of an inelastic material.

The base portion 90 includes a pair of rivet portions 94 that extend outwardly from a back side of the base portion 90 opposite the braking surface S. The rivet portions 94 extend in directions parallel to each other. Preferably, as shown in fig. 11, the rivet portion 94 is cylindrical in shape.

The friction pad 34 is fixedly connected to the pad supporting portion 56 of the cooling plate 30 so that the friction pad 34 is fitted into the recess 60 (pad receiving area) of the first surface 40 and covers the recess 60. During assembly of the friction pad 34, the rivet portion 94 is inserted through the hole 64. The attachment plate 32 (back plate) may be placed into the recess 70 on the second surface 42 of the cooling plate 30 before or after the friction pad 34 is assembled to the cooling plate 30. As a result, the rivet portion 94 extends through the hole 64 and the hole 80 of the attachment plate 32. Thereafter, the rivet portion 94 is deformed to form a deformed head 98. The head portion 98 fills the recess 82, thereby rigidly securing the friction pad 34 and the cooling plate 30 and the attachment plate 34 to one another with the cooling plate 30 sandwiched between the attachment plate 32 and the friction pad 34. As a result, the rivet portion fixedly connects the friction pad 34 to the pad support portion 56, wherein the friction pad 34 covers the pad receiving area of the first surface 40 of the cooling plate 30. The contact between the friction pad 34, the rivet portion 94, and the pad support portion 56 provides thermal conduction between the friction pad 34 and the cooling plate 30.

Brake pad 12 is mounted to a brake pad receiving portion of caliper 22 such that pad support portion 56 (and friction pad 34) is mounted to the brake pad receiving portion of the caliper and heat sink portion 58 extends outwardly away from caliper 22 and rotor 20. As a result, as shown in fig. 2, most of the heat radiating portion 58 extends out of the brake caliper 22. Specifically, all the heat radiating fins 72 are provided outside the caliper 22, so that heat can be easily radiated.

As best shown in fig. 6, the pad support portion 56 has an overall first surface area relative to the first surface 40 and measured along the first surface 40. The heat sink portion 58, relative to the first surface 40 and measured along the first surface 40, has an overall second surface area that is greater than the first surface area. The heat dissipation portion 58 includes a portion of the first surface 40 (shown in fig. 6), a portion of the second surface 42 (shown in fig. 5), and a heat sink 72. Therefore, there are many surfaces constituting the heat dissipation portion 58. As a result, the brake pad 12 provides a large amount of surface area for heat dissipation. The total surface area of the heat sink portion 58 is greater than the surface area of the braking surface S of the friction pad 34 of the brake pad 12. Further, the total surface area of the heat dissipation portion 58 is larger than twice the surface area of the braking surface S of the friction pad 34. Still further, the total surface area of the heat sink portion 58 may be three times the surface area of the braking surface S of the friction pad 34.

General interpretation of terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, "including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. As used herein to describe the above embodiments, the following directional terms "forward", "rearward", "above", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", "below" or "transverse" as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a bicycle equipped with brake pad 12. Thus, when these terms are used to describe the brake pad 12, these terms should be interpreted relative to a bicycle equipped with the brake pad 12 that is used in the normal riding position. Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other may have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element may be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment may be adopted in another embodiment. Not all advantages need be simultaneously exhibited by particular embodiments. Each feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such features. Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cooling plate for a bicycle brake pad, comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface opposite the first surface;

a peripheral edge extending between the first and second surfaces about an outer periphery of the cooling plate, the peripheral edge including a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion;

a pad support portion adjacent the first edge portion;

and a heat dissipation portion disposed adjacent to the second edge portion so that the heat dissipation portion extends away from the pad support portion, the heat dissipation portion having heat dissipation fins disposed on at least the second surface, at least two of the heat dissipation fins extending perpendicularly from the second surface and being disposed at different distances from the second edge portion,

the pad support portion has a friction pad receiving recess disposed on the first surface.

2. A cooling plate for a bicycle brake pad, comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface opposite the first surface;

a pad support portion adjacent the first edge portion, the pad support portion having a friction pad receiving recess disposed on the first surface;

and a heat dissipating portion adjacent the second edge portion such that the heat dissipating portion extends away from the pad support portion, the heat dissipating portion having heat dissipating fins disposed on at least the second surface.

3. The cooling plate of claim 1 or 2, wherein

The heat sink portion has at least one shoulder to define a maximum width of the heat sink portion that is greater than a maximum width of the pad support portion.

4. The cooling plate of claim 1 or 2, wherein

The friction pad receiving recess is sized to correspond with an outer periphery of the friction pad.

5. The cooling plate of claim 1 or 2, wherein

The heat dissipation portion, the pad support portion, and the heat dissipation fin are configured as an integral member.

6. The cooling plate of claim 1 or 2, wherein

The pad support portion includes apertures, each of the apertures extending between the first surface and the second surface.

7. The cooling plate of claim 6, wherein

The aperture is configured to receive a rivet portion of a friction pad.